How Israel Can Help Ukraine Avoid Ecosystem Disaster: Lessons from Water Policy

As part of the conference for alumni of the Israeli program “MASHAV”, which recently took place in Kyiv, Leonid Bytsura, an ecologist and lecturer, talked about the importance of water policy and the experience of Israel, which can be beneficial for Ukraine. The water situation in Ukraine remains critical, and in this regard, our country ranks last in Europe.

“If Israel can turn a desert into an oasis, why can’t Ukraine apply these methods to improve water efficiency?” — asks Bytsura.

Israel: A Model of Water Efficiency for Ukraine

The “MASHAV” program is an international initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, aimed at transferring knowledge and technologies to countries suffering from natural and climate disasters. The program has been running for almost 70 years and covers countries such as South America, Africa, Asia, and Ukraine. Leonid Bytsura noted that one of the most significant aspects of Israel’s experience is its approach to managing water resources.

“Israel is an example of how to use water effectively even in desert conditions. We need to learn from this country to avoid an ecological disaster in Ukraine,” — added Bytsura.

Why Does Ukraine Have the Worst Water Efficiency in Europe?

Ukraine has vast water resources, but water efficiency problems remain serious. The issues lie in numerous small rivers that often dry up, as well as the draining of swamps and land cultivation, which leads to poor water supply. In the face of climate change, Ukraine’s water availability continues to decrease, and the agricultural sector faces a severe water deficit.

The Impact of War on Water Efficiency and Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector

As a result of the war and territorial occupations, as well as due to mining, significant areas of agricultural land in Ukraine have been excluded from cultivation. The government faces the dilemma of whether to reduce the area under cultivation to increase water availability or continue cultivation at the same level to ensure food security. Security will always be the priority, but a balance needs to be found between maintaining the ecosystem and ensuring food security.

Israel and Ukraine: Shared Experience in Water Efficiency

Israel has long proven that effective water resource management is possible, even in extremely difficult climate conditions. Israel uses advanced technologies, including sensors to monitor agricultural crops, in order to minimize water consumption. Ukraine should learn from countries like Israel, the Philippines, Finland, and Japan in developing more effective methods for managing water resources.

“We must adopt Israel’s experience, which has not used water from its main water reservoir — the Sea of Galilee — for five years. This is an example of how carefully we need to treat our water resources,” — said Bytsura.

Soil and Ecosystem Restoration in Ukraine

Leonid Bytsura also talked about the current work at the Department of Ecology at the West Ukrainian National University (ZUNU). They are implementing projects focused on restoring ecosystems, including soil remediation technologies. After anthropogenic impacts, such as improper soil cultivation, military actions, or pollution, scientists are looking for ways to restore the soil and improve its fertility.

“We are working on restoring soils that have been damaged due to military actions and improper agricultural practices. The goal is to return these lands’ fertility and ability to support agriculture,” — said Bytsura.

The Role of the MASHAV International Program in Ukraine’s Restoration

The MASHAV program not only provides knowledge but also helps Ukrainian specialists implement modern technologies in the agricultural sector. In particular, the program supports sustainable water resource management and effective soil treatment methods.

The conference also featured Michael Brodsky, Israel’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine, who shared his thoughts on further cooperation between Ukraine and Israel in ecology and the agricultural sector.

Table: Comparison of Water Efficiency Between Countries

Conclusions: Ukraine Must Learn from Israel

Israel’s experience in water efficiency and soil restoration is vital for Ukraine. By applying advanced technologies and approaches, Ukraine can not only improve its water policy but also restore its soils, ensuring long-term food security.

“For Ukraine, it is critical to adopt the experience of Israel and other countries that effectively manage water resources. If we don’t change our water policy, we risk losing invaluable lands,” — concluded Leonid Bytsura.

NAnews Israel News emphasizes that the issue of water policy in Ukraine is on the agenda not only from an ecological standpoint but also regarding the country’s food security. Israel can be an important partner in training and implementing efficient water-saving technologies that will help Ukraine overcome the water crisis and restore its ecosystem.